Treehouse Studio

Being in a world inundated with an overwhelming number of software packages
each having cryptic creation tools for the inexperienced computer graphics
designer, learning the basics of digital design is being lost. My generation
of computer graphics artist learned the basics at its pixel by pixel beginning
and therefore have a more firm grasp of what the machine is doing. Even
then, however, there is a clean distinction between the artist and the
engineer in today's academic community. The misconception that the art
of digital design programming is a different form of creativity then that
which artist's rely upon needs to be mended. This

My undergraduate research project in the MIT Media Lab, Treehouse Studio,
is a simple attempt at creating an online suite of tools that allow up
and coming aesthetic engineers (coined by John Maeda) to explore the fundamentals
of digital design, including using and developing digital design tools.
The vision motivating the project is to reground digital design in a learning
environment geared to help foster students’ creativity and understanding
without the complications of gaussian algorithms and complex masking.
The project is largely java based so that it can be launched from a browser.
I am going to make the code available to all so that the suite of tools
that will make up the Studio suite will be added to by others (part of
the educational process).

The project is still in it's infancy, but you can a view a sample of
the demo applet that will be at the center
of the system.

More Detail...

Right now, we're planning to target younger students and hoping that
the fascination with drawing on a computer will entice them to explore
their own creativity in the digital age. Since this is kind of a place
for kids to explore their imagination, much like a tree house, the project's
name reflects the fun we are trying to imbue into this project. Furthermore,
we're hoping that the online site will be a community center where students
and teachers alike can share their ideas.

My role in the project will be to design and develop the online software
for the tools. The first part of the project will be developing a simple
paint applet that will behave much like the old Mac Paint application.
The simple beginnings of Treehouse Studio, the java applet will
provide a canvas on which students can paint and draw much like they do
with a pen, brush and paper. Students will then be able to save their
work and return to it later, or share their creations with friends.

My objective in this UROP is to help mold the design and creation of
something special. It’s difficult to see exactly where this project
will take me but I’m anxious to contribute to something that could
have a lasting impression on the design world.

Future Vision

Right now, we are planning to create a variety of graphics tools including
a vector based illustrator, a 3D rendering tool and video editing software,
keeping in mind that the simpler the tools, the easier they are to understand.

Keeping in mind the popular online chat tools (like AIM and ICQ), I hope
to develop a similar interface that will give young students a chance
to communicate visually- kind of a like a Picture Messenger.

Objectives of My Research and the Bigger Picture

Prof. Maeda attracted me to this project with the understanding that
I would be working on a project with very important educational implications.
John has a vision to create a virtual university structure, entitled “OpenAtelier.”
The purpose of the virtual university is to establish an online center
of higher learning for computational aesthetics, by providing a library
of tools to create and a forum to share and teach.

The undertaking is going to be a challenge, but the possibilities of
such an online university could have meaningful ramifications on the digital
design world. I am excited to be part of a project that has far reaching
implications.